190 party-lists submit bids for ‘25 polls
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) received a total of 184 certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 12 Senate seats up for grabs in the 2025 midterm elections during the eight-day filing period held at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel.
Comelec data also showed that 190 party-list organizations submitted their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
During yesterday’s last day of COC and CONA filing, 57 senatorial aspirants and 53 party-list groups filed their COCs and CONAs, respectively.
Among the more prominent names who filed their COCs for senator were detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former senator Francis Pangilinan, SAGIP party-list Rep Rodante Marcoleta, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, and television host Willie Revillame.
In the 2019 polls, there were 153 COC filers for senator, while 176 filed in 2022.
For party-lists, 185 and 270 organizations filed their CONAs in the 2019 and 2022 polls, respectively.
The Comelec has committed to resolve cases involving nuisance candidates for the 2025 midterm elections by November 30, or before the printing of the official ballots.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11045, the Comelec will begin uploading on its website the COCs and CONAs of the aspirants on October 18.
NOGRALES VS DUTERTES
Can the Nograles family end the Duterte dynasty?
The two families are long-time political rivals in Davao City, which remains the bailiwick of the Dutertes.
The children of the late Speaker Prospero Nograles have revived their family’s political rivalry with the Duterte family in Davao City, challenging the re-election bid of incumbent first district Rep. Paolo Duterte and the mayoralty bid of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Rep. Margarita Nograles (PL, PBA) yesterday filed her COC as representative of the city’s first district, facing off with the younger Duterte.
Margarita, a lawyer, who has been serving as a lawmaker since 2022, took the helm from her older brother, former PBA party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles. She is currently a deputy majority leader.
Margarita’s older brother, former Civil Service Commission chairperson Karlo Nograles also filed his COC, challenging his former boss for the city’s mayoralty post. His vice mayoral candidate is Councilor Bernie Al-ag.
Karlo, a former Duterte appointee, resigned from the CSC last Monday.
In running for the mayoralty post, Karlo offered Davaoeños a “chance to have real, meaningful, and lasting change.”
“I can lead you to the change that you so deserve,” he said, adding that if he wins, he will bring him the best practices that he had learned and observed as chairman of the CSC.
He also vowed to provide better public service by ensuring access to basic commodities, healthcare, food security, education, job opportunities, and other government services and public assistance.
Karlo, who is also a lawyer, was the congressman of the first district of Davao City when he was appointed by the elder Duterte as his Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman.
He also served as co-chairman and spokesman of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
‘SON OF GOD’
Quiboloy filed his COC for senator through his authorized representative, lawyer Mark Tolentino, who said that the detained pastor will run under the Workers and Peasants Party (WPP).
In his brief speech, Tolentino said Quiboloy intends to have a “God-centered and Philippines-centered” campaign for a Senate seat.
“He ran because of God and our beloved Philippines,” Tolentino said,
Quiboloy is detained at the Pasig City jail over a non-bailable charge of human trafficking. He is also facing a child abuse case before the Quezon City trial court.
The pastor’s detention came following a police operation at the KOJC compound in Davao City, where he and his co-accused in the cases have been hiding since warrants for their arrest were issued by the Pasig city and Quezon city courts. He later surrendered to authorities.
Quiboloy also has an arrest order from the Senate for his refusal to participate in the chamber’s investigation into the complaints of former KOJC members against the religious leader.
In a short statement, PNP spokeswoman Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said: “Well, everybody is entitled to run if they think they are qualified. We cannot prevent him (from running). We will leave it to the Comelec if it will accept his candidacy. The law is actually clear that (one can run) until they are convicted, or the court perpetually disqualified you from running for any elective position.”
FOOD SECURITY
Pangilinan said he is ready to work with the Marcos administration to advance his advocacy on food security.
Pangilinan was the running-mate of former Vice President Leni Robredo, who ran for president during the 2022 elections. He placed second to Vice President Sara Duterte.
“I am looking to return to the Senate to solve the hunger problem of the people. It has been done in the past, and we can do it again if we help one another,” he said.
“I am prepared to set aside politics to help the government because hunger knows no (political) color,” he added.
Pangilinan was accompanied by his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta, when he filed his COC.
MARCOLETA ‘TRUSTS’ COMELEC
A staunch critic of the Comelec and the automated election system (AES), Marcoleta yesterday declared his trust and confidence that the May 2025 polls will be clean and credible.
Speaking to reporters after filing his COC, the party-list lawmaker said his filing of his candidacy for next year’s elections is proof that he trusts the electoral system.
“Me filing my COC is proof of my trust that the Comelec is capable of holding clean, honest, and credible elections,” he said, adding: “I don’t have any allegations against Comelec officials. But my question is with the system and machines that will be used in the next elections.”
Asked if he is standing pat on his previous allegations against Garcia and the South Korean firm Miru Systems, Marcoleta answered indirectly.
“I don’t want to fight two battles at the same time. Every battle has its own timing,” he said.
Marcoleta had repeatedly accused Garcia of supposedly owning offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands, which he alleged received deposits from South Korea, where Miru Systems’ head office is located.
In 2022, Marcoleta ran for senator under PDP-Laban but withdrew later on. He was subsequently named the first nominee of the SAGIP party-list.
‘TRUE’ OPPOSITION
Speaking to reporters, Rodriguez said he wants to become a senator to represent the “true opposition” of the Marcos administration.
Rodriguez formerly served as Executive Secretary of President Marcos Jr.
“Just like everybody else, I can no longer accept the continuation of this kind of governance. I know everybody is very tired of corruption, drugs, and more corruption,” he said.
Armed with an endorsement from former President Rodrigo Duterte, the independent bet said the fight will be a continuation of the reason why he left the administration.
“We wanted to temper greed and corruption… However, the direct opposite happened, so I left the government,” said Rodriguez.
‘KUYA WIL’
Just a few minutes prior to the 5 p.m. deadline, independent running TV host Willie Revillame filed his COC for senator, which was shown live in his daily afternoon show, “Wil To Win.”
Speaking to reporters after filing his COC, Revillame said he was absent from his show yesterday but had his COC filing aired live.
“While there are no music, dancing, merrymaking now, there is a bigger aspiration, a bigger plan for every Filipino,” he said.
He said he was prompted to seek a Senate seat after seeing all the numerous clashes in the Senate, which he should be concentrating on passing laws.
“All I can see are infighting of educated people. They see artists as second-class citizens, but we are the ones with the big heart for the people,” he said.
SENATORIAL HOPEFULS
Other senatorial hopefuls are former Commission on Audit official Heidi Mendoza, Leandro Verceles, Peter Advincula, Princess Ramos, Jovilyn Aceron, Fernando Advincula, Joseph Delgado, Eric Alcantara, Rosalin Cay, Randy Red, Romulo San Ramon, Abel Adorable, Mercedita Acopiado, Randy Restum, Emilio Chan, Devienido Biazon, Roy Cabonegro, Rodolfo Basilan, Primo Aquino, Roel Lamoste, Vincente Domingo, Gem Domagtoy, Monique Kokkinaras, Injim Bunayog, Ismael Bajo, Omar Tomanong, Salvador Cabalida, Francis Marcos, Eric Martinez, Martin Mendoza, Berteni Causing, Melchor Lucañas, Antonio Par, Robert Marcos, Loreto Banosan, Faith Ugsad, Wilfredo Red, Edmundo Rubi, Patrick Artajo, Rafael Chico, Romeo Macaragg, Celeste Aguilar, Shirly Cuatchin, Subair Mustapha, Ricarda Arguilles, Sonny Pimentel, Enrique Olonan, Willie Ricablanca, Alexander Lague, Melissa Fortes, Roberto Sembrano, and Gabriel Chaclag.
Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said former Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday withdrew his COC for senator after he filed it on Monday through an authorized representative.
“He personally withdrew the said COC at 12:13 p.m. today, October 8, 2024. He cited no reason for said withdrawal,” said Laudiangco, adding the former Cabinet official is not entitled to be substituted as he filed his COC as an independent bet.
The Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) denied that it has endorsed the senatorial candidacies of Relly Jose Jr. and Mr. Richard Nicolas.
In a statement, the party made the clarification following reports that the two senatorial aspirants are running under the banner of the KBL.
“Only national president Efren Rafanan Sr, Crisiliefv G. Garrido, and Joeme N. Erroba are authorized to sign and issue official (COCs)… neither Mr. Relly Jose Jr. nor Mr. Richard Nicolas is endorsed by KBL for any elective position in the upcoming elections, including the Senate,” it said.
KBL emphasized that official announcements regarding its candidates will be made only through formal and verified channels and called on the public to disregard inaccurate reports and rely solely on its authorized communication platforms for election-related updates.
CONGRESSIONAL RACE
In Manila, Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. filed his COC for re-election as representative of the city’s sixth district.
Abante is one of the chairmen of the House quad committee, which is investigating the issues hounding the Duterte administration such as extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the war on drugs, the proliferation of illegal drugs and the criminal operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Ako Bicol Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon, one of the staunchest critics of Vice President Sara Duterte, also filed his candidacy as representative of Albay’s first district.
Bongalon is challenging the Lagman political dynasty and will run against Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman, daughter of Rep. Edcel Lagman.
“My candidacy is a fight for change and for the future of Albay. The people deserve leaders who will represent them with integrity and dedication. I’m offering myself as a servant who will work for the development and empowerment of every Albayano, especially those who have been left behind,” Bongalon said after filing his COC.
Former Mandaluyong City Rep. Alexandria “Queenie” Gonzales, wife of incumbent Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II, likewise filed her COC seeking to return as representative of the city’s lone district.
Gonzales was accompanied by her husband when she filed her COC at the Comelec’s National Capital Region (NCR) office headquarters in Greenhills, San Juan City.
Gonzales previously served as the congresswoman of Mandaluyong City from 2016 to 2019. Despite being a neophyte legislator, she quickly became a deputy majority leader.
Rep. Alan Ecleo is also seeking another term as representative of the lone district of Dinagat Islands.
First elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2022, Ecleo served as Dinagat Islands representative during the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation and aftermath of typhoon Odette.
Taguig-Pateros Rep. Pammy Zamora, daughter of former San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, also filed her COC for reelection.
Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar and Rep. Joel Chua are also seeking new terms as members of the House of Representatives representing the sixth district of Quezon City and third district of the city of Manila, respectively.
Former lawmakers Allan Reyes and Josephine “Nene” Sato are likewise hoping to get elected as representatives of the third district of Quezon City and Occidental Mindoro, respectively.
Actor-politician Ejay Falcon has also filed his COC for congressman of Oriental Mindoro’s secod district.
Lawyer Ian Sia filed his COC for representative of Pasig’s lone district. Sia is a former city councilor.
In running for a congressional seat, Sia said he would seek the creation of a second congressional district in Pasig City if he wins.
PARTY-LIST GROUPS
The party-list organizations that filed their CONAs yesterday were Kababaihan, Batang Quiapo, SBP, Murang Kuryente, UFP, Tulungan Tayo, Aksyon Dapat, Alona, Aspin, CIBAC, Wage Hike, Sagip, Pasada CC, Arangkada Pilipino, Nanay, Kapuso PM, Magsasaka, Juan Pinoy, AGRI, Dilawan, MOCHA, ARTE, Kamalayan, 1A SECAP, AGAP, UFCC Abakada, TUCP, and Probinsiyano Ako.
Also filing the CONAs and their lists of nominees were party-lists groups Sulong Dignidad, Estudyante, Magsasaka, ARISE, GP, Patrol, 4PS Tupad, Pamilya Muna, PBA, Gabay, M@B, Dumper PTDA, Tutok to Win, Paisano, ABQ, Aangat Tayo, May Puso, ABP, Babae Ako, Malabung, Loyalista, Hataw Trucker, Mare Pare, and Tinig ng Senior.
Rep. Eddie Villanueva led the Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) party-list in filing its CONA for re-election.
Together with select CIBAC leaders from NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and international chapters, Villanueva filed the CONA at the Tent City, Manila Hotel.
Villanueva, founder of Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church Worldwide, will remain as Cibac’s lead nominee, with former Reps. Domeng Rivera and Cathy Valencia as the second and third nominees, respectively.
Retired Police Lt. Gen Rhodel Sermonia is likewise eyeing a congressional seat via the United Frontliners party-list group. The group said it wants to serve uniformed personnel, policemen, soldiers, Coast Guard personnel, teachers and health workers.
ISKO COMEBACK
Former Manila City mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso yesterday filed is COC for Manila mayor as he seeks a mayoral comeback in the 2025 elections.
Moreno will be running with Chi Atienza as his vice mayor.
“Samahan po ninyo akong muli. Let’s make Manila great again! Dinidinig ko po ang panawagan ninyo, tatakbo po akong mayor sa darating na halalan ((Please join me again. Let’s make Manila great again. I am heeding your calls. I am running as mayor in the next elections),” he said in a Facebook post on Monday.
Moreno will be running against incumbent Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna, who was his running mate in the 2019 local elections in Manila. Lacuna filed her COC for mayor last Thursday.
Moreno ran for president but lost in the 2022 elections. He ranked fourth in the 10-man race.
LOCAL POLLS
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora filed his COC for re-election and was joined by members and supporters of the Team Makabagong San Juan. Zamora is running for his third term as mayor.
Incumbents San Juan Rep. Bel Zamora and Vice Mayor Angelo Agcaoilli also filed their COCs for re-election.
Prior to filing their COCs, the team attended a Mass at the Santuario del Santo Cristo Parish, which was followed by a symbolic march to the Comelec – San Juan Office.
Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos also filed her COC yesterday for the position of mayor of Mandaluyong.
Abalos was accompanied by Team Performance. Her running mate will be Anthony Suva.
“We have formally filed our candidacy for another chance to be mayor and continue our initiatives for a more progressive Mandaluyong,” Abalos said.
In Laguna, Rep. Ruth Hernandez filed her COC as a gubernatorial candidate.
She was joined by her running mate, vice gubernatorial candidate JM Carait, and her husband, outgoing Gov. Ramil Hernandez who filed his COC for representative of the second district of the province.
In Misamis Occidental, Gov. Henry Oaminal and Rep. Sancho Fernando “Ando” Oaminal filed their re-election bids yesterday. Rep. Ando is the current representative of the second district.
The two were accompanied by fellow re-electionists Vice Governor Rowena Gutierrez and Rep. Jason Almonte of the first district, who also filed their COCs at the Comelec office in Oroquieta City.
In a statement, Gov. Oaminal expressed his excitement at the opportunity to maintain Misamis Occidental’s positive development for another term.
“As soon as we took this position, we immediately addressed peace and order in the province,” he said, citing the average monthly crime rate’s decrease from 24.52 percent in 2016 to 13.64 percent in the first half of 2024. Misamis Occidental has also been declared to be insurgency-free.
One of Gov. Oaminal’s major initiatives for the province was the Free Hospitalization Program, which has helped more than 42,000 individuals in Misamis, with financial assistance exceeding P186.5 million.
Rep. Ando shared in his father’s optimism that Misamisnons will give them the chance to continue their service. “We believe that as long as we continue to do our best — from being their effective voice in Congress, to ensuring that their needs are provided — we’ll continue earning the trust of Misamisnons,” he said.
“We are grateful for the privilege to serve, and we want to continue delivering achievements to Misamis Occidental,” Rep. Ando added.
The Oaminals continue to banner their 5Ms development thrust and platform for the province in 2022. The 5Ms, or Misamisnon Magpuyong Malinawon, Malambuon ug Malipayon (Misamisnons Live Peacefully, Prosperously, and Happily) summarizes the direction of the programs and initiatives of the local administration for Misamis Occidental.
PIMENTEL VS TEODORO
Senate minority leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III yesterday raised serious legal and constitutional concerns over the recent transfer of Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro from District 2 to District 1 to run for Congress in the 2025 elections.
Pimentel, who is on his second term in the Senate, is running for Congress to represent the first district of Marikina City, He will be running against Teodoro, who has also filed his COC for congressman of the same district.
In an interview, Pimentel said the period of residence requirement is clearly stated in the Constitution.
“It’s not only a legal issue; it’s a constitutional issue because the period of residence requirement is in the Constitution,” he said.
Pimentel said election lawyers have studied the “curious case of Marcy Teodoro” and flagged a serious “legitimate legal issue” stemming from his overlapping declarations of residence in both districts.
He noted that Teodoro has declared under oath that he was a resident of two places at the same time, which the senator is a ground for material misrepresentation under the Omnibus Election Code.
“There are political implications and legal implications. Those are the two issues here,” he said.
Pimentel explained that candidates for Congress are required to be residents of the district they intend to represent for at least one year before the election.
Pimentel has earlier said that Teodoro transferred his voter’s registration from District 2 to District, but again applied for a transfer of his voter’s records to District 1 in September.
In response to Pimentel’s earlier statement blaming him for the breakup of their alliance, Teodoro clarified that the senator had communicated his desire to break from their political alliance via a text message sent around three to four months ago.
“Mas maging maayos daw ang kanilang pagkilos kung wala sila sa alyansa (He said they can proceed well with their activities if they are not allied with anyone),” Teodoro said.
“Ginalang naman namin yung decision na iyan. Kaya napilitang kami maghanap ng kandidato para sa first District (We respected his decision. That’s why we searched for a candidate to run in the first district),” he also said.
He said it was only then that he decided to enter the congressional race for the first district of Marikina, where he served as a representative for three terms from 2007 to 2016.
He said his legislative agenda would focus on climate change and environmental protection. He also vowed to work for the passage of the comprehensive land use plan.
He is also advocating for the conservation of protected areas and the strengthening of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. — With Jocelyn Montemayor, Wendell Vigilia, Christian Oineza and Victor Reyes
